The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTGIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Master (DDR5)
Moving down the Aorus series is the GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Master, which combines a very premium feature set, with the typical Aorus gaming-focused aesthetic we've seen from GIGABYTE over the last couple of years. Focusing on the aesthetic, GIGABYTE is using a primarily black theme with contrasting shades of black and grey throughout, with a brushed aluminum-styled rear panel cover. There are two main areas of integrated RGB LED lighting which include the rear panel cover behind the Aorus logo, as well as within the chipset heatsink. GIGABYTE is advertising a direct 19-phase power delivery with the latest 105 A power stages which screams high end.
Looking at PCIe support, the GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Master includes one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, with two full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slots. Located around the PCIe slot area is a total of five M.2 slots, with four of these operating at PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, and one PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot. Other storage options include six SATA ports with all featuring support for Intel RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. Located in the top right-hand corner is a bank of four memory slots, with support for DDR5-6400, with a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB.
On the rear panel of the GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Master are two USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C ports, five USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. GIGABYTE does include one DisplayPort 1.4 video output for users looking to utilize Intel's integrated graphics, while five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec and ESS Sabre 9118EQ amplifier pairing. Networking is impressive with a single Aquantia AQC107 10 GbE controller and Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi pairing. Finishing off the rear panel is a clear CMOS button and Q-Flash BIOS Flashback button.
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Pneumothorax - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
These prices are insane. You need to add $300 tax on top of any ADL build for Z690/DDR5.Gasaraki88 - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
OMG... those mobo prices... wowOxford Guy - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
‘Video cards are insane so why not us?’TeddyBaeeer - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra is NOT DDR5. It is ddr4 and your link goes to the ddr4 boardSamus - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Cheapest ITX board is $400-$440. Yikes.Oxford Guy - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
And some have tried to dismiss the apparent fact that inflation is a significant cause. Supply constraint doesn’t explain all of it nor does an increase in sedentary entertainment due to Covid.You’ve got your shrinkflation and your price inflation. Both are occuring.
zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
The MSI Z690 Ace is E-ATX, not ATX.How do I know? i preordered it on the 4th, and newegg is showing availability on Dec 3rd… It is so much better than the HERO at 600 dollar
zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
I thought thunderbolt port support displayport protocol? So will those thinderbolt 4 port without dp input port, output video from integrated GPU?zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
Another error in the article, the ALC4082 should include MSI Z690 AceInjuis - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
The inflation just never stops, does it?